[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 132 (Tuesday, October 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WELCOMING FORMER TAIWANESE PRESIDENT LEE TENG-HUI TO WASHINGTON, DC

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 18, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome former Taiwanese 
President Lee Teng-Hui to Washington, DC this week.
  President Lee was born on January 15, 1923, in Sanchih, a rural 
community on the outskirts of Taipei. After graduating from Taipei High 
School, he was admitted into Kyoto Imperial University in Japan. After 
World War II, he returned home to continue his studies at National 
Taiwan University (NTU) , majoring in agricultural economics.
  After being elected vice president in 1984, he helped engineer 
various political and economic reforms. On the sudden death of 
President Chiang Ching-kuo on January 13, 1988, Dr. Lee became 
President and completed the remainder of Chiang's. During his 2 years 
in office he greatly impressed the people of Taiwan with his able 
leadership. And, on March 21, 1990, Dr. Lee was elected in his own 
right by the National Assembly as president of Taiwan.
  President Lee Teng-hui can rightfully called the founding father of 
Taiwan's democratic system. ``The George Washington of Taiwan.''
  At the age of 82 today, he still seeks to learn and educate himself 
about our American democracy. He visited the National Archives to see 
the Constitution and the U.S. Declaration of Independence. He received 
a tour at the Jefferson Memorial; no doubt prompted by the fact that he 
himself stood at the cradle of democracy in Taiwan.
  Mr. Speaker: We have an opportunity to meet with President Lee in 
person this Wednesday afternoon. I urge all my colleagues to 
participate in this historic occasion and join me in welcoming 
President Lee to Washington, DC.
  We need more friends like President Lee. Yes, we need more friends 
like Taiwan.
  I hope that soon all restrictions on high-level visits from Taiwan 
will be lifted including the President, the vice-President, the foreign 
minister and the defense minister. So that a balanced understanding of 
both sides of the Taiwan Strait will be directly available to Congress, 
the Administration and the American public.
  After President Lee's visit, I look forward to welcoming Taiwan's 
current President--Mr. Chen Shui-bian--to Washington, DC as well. 
Sooner rather than later.

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